Primary hepatoma and hepatitis-associated antigen in a young white woman

A young woman whose serum was positive for hepatitis-associated antigen (H.A.A.) and alpha-fetoprotein developed a malignant hepatoma. Though the light-microscopical appearances of the surrounding liver tissue were normal, electronmicroscope examination of the tumour tissue disclosed both C-virus-like particles and H.A.A. particles. Possibly there was a causal connexion between one of these particles and the hepatoma.